14 comments/ 68827 views/ 9 favorites The Hot List Ch. 01 By: qhml1 I was at our neighborhood Wal-Mart doing what I hated most, waiting. My wife was in the salon having her hair done. The same woman had been doing her hair for fifteen years, and when she moved Pam followed. I had looked at the lawn and garden, the clothes, and sporting goods areas, and was running out of things to hold my interest. I walked by the salon, she was getting the finishing touches done. She saw me and mouthed "20 minutes". I nodded and pointed towards the door, indicating I would wait outside. I passed the greeter, you know the old guy who welcomes people and checks reciepts, when I heard someone say: "Will, aren't you going to say hello?" It was Sam Dennison, my old neighbor and long time financial planner. "Sam, hi. What are you doing? I know the economy has taken a hit, but this? Why?" "One simple word, Will. Boredom. I got tired of waiting for people to come and see me so I took this job. You know how it is in this small town, if you want to see someone bad enough go stand by the door of the Wal-Mart, they'll pass by eventually. I get to see all my old friends and get paid at the same time." "Same old Sam, figuring out how to do something you want and get paid too." We laughed and talked over old times. Sam and his wife Sarah had lived two doors down from us for twenty years. They were the oldest of all the neighbors, both in their early sixties.They had never had children, but quickly became grandparents by proxy to all the neighborhood kids. There was always milk, cookies, and a sympathetic ear, especially from Sarah. She never worked outside the home and was always available. We used to joke lovingly that the good values instilled in our collective children that we got credit for actually came from Sam and Sarah. Sam was about nine months from retirement and Sarah was busily planning the things he had always promised when tragedy struck. She developed a dry hacking cough that wouldn't go away. After about three weeks she finally went to the doctor. He ordered tests. The results were bad. Lung cancer, third stage. She lasted three months. The heart went out of Sam with her death. He stayed in the neighborhood for another nine months, but couldn't stand the memories. He put the house up for sale and bought a condo in an upscale retirement community across town. Of all his old neighbors I was the one who saw him the most because he was still my financial planner. When he retired he kept ten or twelve of his oldest clients, mostly because we begged him While we were talking I noticed three old guys, retirees probably, sitting on one of the benches in the entry area. They were having a fierce discussion and comparing notes from pads they all carried. "What's up with that, Sam?" I was surprised when he told me what they were doing. "Oh, those are some of my neighbors from the retirement village. This is their day to do the Hot Lists." "I have to ask, what's a hot list?" "That my boy, is girl watching in the purest form. They pick a woman coming in or going out, and rate them using a system developed by John, a retired actuary. It's actually quite complicated." "Sounds like they need a hobby." "Will, this is their hobby. Think about it, there are worse ways to spend an afternoon than looking at attractive women." A rare moment of inspiration seized me. "Sam, how would you and your friends like to have lunch on me?" "I know that there is no such thing as a free lunch, Will. What would we have to do?" "Exactly what they're doing now. Pam should be coming through here any minute. I want them to rate her, and I'd like to see the results." "I don't know, Will. I don't think they want anybody to know what they are doing." "Relax. I give you my word that I won't out them to anyone. I'm just curious, and I won't share the information with anyone." "I'll ask. Free lunch should help though. Anywhere we want to eat?" "Anywhere within reason. Just call me to set it up." He nodded and motioned the guys over. They were in intense discussion when I left. The Hot List Ch. 02 Two weeks went by before I heard from Sam. He called and said he had my results if I was interested. I told him to name the place and time. His cronies had discussed this beforehand, and I was instructed to be at Hooters by one Saturday. I was told not to be late, or I would be on the hook for the bar bill too. I was there by 12:45 and was already behind by one round. "Will, these are the boys. Let's eat before we get started." I didn't know old guys could eat that many wings. Finally they were gorged. After the waitress cleaned up the mess and brought yet another round Sam turned the meeting over to his buddy Joe. "First, has Sam explained the whole thing to you?" "No, not a thing." "All right, Here's how it started. Jim and I took our wives to Wal-Mart about two years ago, and heck, you're married, you know what that means. After about 45 minutes of intense discussion over whether mauve or puce towels would match the bathroom decor best, we retreated to the benches." "We had been there about five minutes when a woman walked in and Jim made a comment about what a nice rack she had. I countered by pointing out that is was impressive, but her butt was a little flat so it detracted from the overall package. I pointed out a young lady that had an almost perfect bottom, but was flatchested. From there it escalated." "Suddenly we were on the one to ten scale. Yes, her breasts were around a 7, but her butt only rates a 5. Pretty face and hair, rank it about a 7 Over all a, a solid 6 and 2/3 out of 10." "We went back home and happened to mention our comparisons to our regular group at the clubhouse that night. Well, the scientific minds went to work, factored in a bunch of variables we hadn't even considered, and over a period of time it evolved to this." He lay a small notebook on the table. It held 3 X 5 index cards that had been printed with a form I couldn't decipher. "We put in code form. After all, it wouldn't do for the store manager to look over our shoulders and see us checking spaces marked 'ass', or 'boobs'. Let me explain it to you." "See this column? It's 'bu' for butt. This one is 'br', for breasts. This 'f' is for face, the 'h' is for hair, 'l' is for legs, 'o' is for overall physical presence, 'pro' is for projection, 'pre' is presence. This column has 'a', 'b', and for 'c'. A is 18 to 30 years old, B is for 35 thru 45, and C is 45 to 60." He paused for dramatic effect, then he put a card in front of me. "This is your compilated list of your wifes' score. If you want we can explain it in detail." I nodded my assent. "First, let me get the one we all missed badly. We all put her in the 30 to 45 age group. one of us guessed 41, one 43, and the other at 39. Imagine our surprise to learn she's 52. She was a solid 8 overall, but after finding her age we moved her to the correct age section and it bumped her rating up to 8.5." They grinned at me. "To sum it up, you have a damn fine looking wife, probably the best we've ever seen in her age group. Her hair was nice, she's got a really pretty face, and her proportions were almost perfect. But the deciding factor that put her so high was her presence." "Some women project. They act or dress to gather attention. Some women have presence, they gather attention by just being who they are. You're wife is among those. Treasure her, she's a rare gem." I nodded, overcome by sudden emotion. Gathering myself, I thanked them for their time, promised to keep the secret safe and left. The Hot List Ch. 03 AUTHORS NOTE Thanks for the feed back. I'm obviously new at this so bear with me. I've got a fair imagination and a decent command of language, but what I don't have are technical skills. I'm an old guy and a bit of a technophobe and so far it's killing me. Building A Love Life, my first attempt at writing, was eleven pages long when I tried to post it, and that's just chapter one. Somehow everything got deleted. My wife seems to think it was alcohol related, I can neither confirm or deny that allegation. I have no clear recollection of that event. I called the witch doctor in [my son], and think the problem is corrected, although mumbling under his breath about old perverts and suggesting I set a votive candle and a picture of Bill Gates up beside the computer wasn't really constructive in my opinion. Anyway, it took a couple of days to wash all the chicken blood off the monitor. Now I'll try again. Oh, and by the way cpete, without giving too much away they do live happily ever after. ................................................. Will came home from the restaurant with a smile on his face and the index card in his pocket. He didn't see Pam until he looked out the patio door. She was outside on the deck fooling with her 'upside down tomato' plant. Will thought it was crazy to knock a hole in the bottom of a bucket, put a tomato plant in it, and hang it from a post. Any gardener will tell you things grow towards the sun and not away from it. The poor plant gets 'leggy' and grows around the edge of the bucket and upwards until it sets fruit and then gravity takes over and pulls the plant downward and away from the sun. He couldn't believe somebody got rich off this. It gave Pam pleasure though, and like all things that gave her pleasure, he didn't mind. She was in a tank top and cargo shorts, and looked as beautiful as she did the first time they met over 31 years ago. From a distance she looked in her late thirties, and up close she could pass for mid forties, even though she would be 52 in just a few weeks. Happiness filled him as he remembered. ................................................ He had worked for Massive Industries for six years after coming out of the marines. He had the distinction of participating in one of the most minor events of U.S. military history, the Grenada incursion. He stood out in that conflict because he was one of the few to actually get shot. It hurt like hell and left a nasty scar on his thigh, but he got a purple heart and a bronze star out it. He never mentioned that part of his life to anyone. Pam didn't know about the medals until they had been married ten years, and only then because the VFW wanted he and a few more purple heart recipients to be marshalls in the Veterans Day parade that year. He told her it was in the past and wasn't something he thought about much. In reality he didn't feel his service was in the same league as the WWII, Korea, and Vietnam veterans. He had gone to school at night and worked his way into junior management. As the junior member of the management team one of his responsibilities was to walk the prior days' paper work across the street from the plant to the main office. This was before the prevalence of computers. The office had them, big ugly machines that most of the plant employees didn't trust. That Monday he noticed the office manager showing a new girl around, and that Jenny was not at her desk. The manager waved him over. "Will, this is Pam. She's taking Jennys' place while she has her baby. Help her out if she needs it, okay?" He was instantly smitten. She was 5'5' tall, but her slender body made her look taller. Medium lenght ash brown hair, teased wildly in the style of the era. Her most distinctive feature were her eyes, large and almost black in their intensity. like she was looking straight through you. "Not a problem, Esther. How are you today, Pam." She smiled nicely. "Nervous, confused, and anxious to do a good job. I'll probably lean on you a good bit at first, if that's okay." "Well, don't hesitate to call. You'll find an phone directory on the top of your file cabinet. If I'm not in, just use the page number. You can hear it all over the plant and I'll get back to you quickly." They spent about twenty minutes helping her through the basics and then he reluctantly left. He thought about her off and on all day. In reality she was about three sixteenths away from being beautiful, but in his eyes the yardstick was broken. Never in his 28 years had he been so attracted to a woman. And he was sure that with his looks and her beauty, plus the six year age difference[she had just turned 22] he had no chance at all. He developed a habit of delivering the paperwork right before her morning break, and before long they were having their coffee together. When he found out she thought the office coffee was weak he started stopping at the break truck on his way over. It was run by a retired naval mess steward, and the running joke was that maintenance used it to strip paint off equipment. She liked it though and when he found out she had a sweet tooth he brought her a pastry or candy bar to go with the coffee. They talked. She found out he had never married because he had just never found 'the one'. He found she had married at 18, way too young. They were both too immature, and when the stress of life hit she became clingy, and he became mentally abusive and cheated. The parting was bitter. She had been divorced for thirteen months when she went to work for Massive, and had dated twice but was too nervous to enjoy it. After eleven weeks had gone by he came in on Monday to find Jenny back at her desk. She laughed at his expression. "Don't worry Will. Your little honey isn't gone, she's been transferred to accounts receivable. I'm jealous, in three years you never brought me coffee. But, then again, I'm 32 and a mother of four now, not a hot bodied 22 year old. Want to see my baby pictures?" He was miserable but made appropriate approving noises. He went back to delivering the paper work first thing in the morning and spending his break in his office. It didn't help him that Jenny would tease him and tell him his hot little girlfriend was waiting for her coffee. She would smirk and add a comment about something a little sweet would be just the thing for her. Then two weeks later he was heading for his office and saw Pam standing at the door with two cups of coffee. She looked at him hard and said- "I decided to come by and see why you wouldn't spend your break with me anymore. Where can I set these?" My office was more like a cubbyhole and only had one chair besides the one behind my desk. I didn't want any obstacles between us so I grabbed a chair out of the next office and sat down beside her with the coffees on the desk. She got right to the point. "Why did you stop having break with me? Did I offend you? Or, do you just not like me?" He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I like you, quite a bit actually. But with you not doing the paperwork anymore I had no excuse to be around you. I miss our break conversations terribly, it was the high point of my day. Besides, I know there's quite a few girls your own age in your new area. I thought you would enjoy talking to them more." He thought he phrased that pretty well. Boy, was he wrong, and she let him know it. It was the first time he got a glimpse of the temper he was to grow to know very well. "Will, there's six years between our ages, not sixty! And why can't you spend your breaks with me just because you want to, without some sort of excuse? That's not very good for a girls' ego, just so you know." She paused to take a breath and fixed those penetrating eyes on him. "Just so you know, I've never chased a man my whole life and I'm not about to start now. However, if you were to ask me to dinner Friday night and to see the new Spielberg movie, I might not say no. It's all up to you now." She sat back with a small grin on her face. To Wills credit, he wasn't an idiot, and it just didn't get any plainer. "Pam, I've really been wanting to see the new movie playing uptown, and there's a great little Italian place close by known for their homemade pizza. Would you care to go?" She had a small smile on her face as she got up. "I'll have to think about it. How 'bout I answer you tomorrow at first break after you've gotten us our coffee? Oh, and try to bring one of those cheese danish things if they have one. See you then sweetie." She gave him a little peck on the cheek as she left. It just so happened that another supervisor happened by and saw it. His cheek felt warm all day, but that could have been from all the ribbing he got over his hot new girlfriend. .................................................. Of course they went out Friday. And Saturday. Coffee breaks at work turned into lunch together every day. Dates began to occur in midweek in addition to the weekend. They spent almost every spare moment they had in his small apartment. The touching, kissing, and cuddling continued to escalate. This went on for about four months and both were getting sexually frustrated, especially for Pam. Will would almost get carried away,then pull back at the last minute. After a particularly intense session of kissing and fondling Pam thought it was finally going to happen only to have Will disengage. Her temper flared just a bit. "Damn it Will, when are you going to make love to me? What's holding you back?" It caught him by surprise and he blurted out. "I wanted it to be special for us. It was supposed to happen right after we got engaged." He realized what he was saying too late to stop it. She sat upright on the couch and spoke so softly he almost didn't hear her. "You want to marry me?" IN for a dime, in for a dollar, as his grandfather used to say. Time to commit. "More than anything else in the world." Her eyes were huge. "When were you going to ask me?" "In about three months. I wanted you to know how much I loved you by holding out until then." "Where and how were you going to ask me?" "I was going to do it here, where we're alone together most often. I didn't want to do it in front of an audience, I think it should be the most private and intimate discussion a couple in love should ever have." Although she was trying to control it, tears were starting to flow. "Do it", she demanded. "Do what?" he was confused. She held his face in her hands. "Propose to me. Pretend it's three months later. How would you do it?" He looked at her long and hard, then slid off the couch until he was on both knees in front of her. He took both her hands in his, and looked her in the eyes with the most serious expression she had ever seen on his face. "Pamela Maria Vincent, I love you. I think I loved you from the moment we met. I want to grow old with you , to never leave your side. I want our children to bask in the glow of our love. I want our friends to envy the joy we have. I want to love you to the best of my ability until I take my last breath on this earth. Pam, will you marry me?" The tears were flowing steadily now, accompanied by huge, wracking sobs. Overcome, she fled into the bathroom. 'That dear, kind man' she thought. 'He didn't promise me eternal love, or forever and ever love. He promised to love me with all his heart until death robbed him of the chance to continue. What woman could ask for more'. She composed herself and came back into the living room. Surprisingly he was still on his knees in front of the couch. She felt a touch of panic, maybe he thought she was rejecting him. Getting on her knees and nuzzled his neck. "Show me." She was almost whispering. He roused just a bit. "What?" She slipped around to face him. "Pretend it's three months later. I've just screamed 'YES' at the top of my lungs. Show me how you would love me." She leaned back and slipped her top over her head. Her bra was black and lacy, the panties matched he discovered later. She put his hands on her breasts. "Please, my future husband, future life mate, future father of our babies, please, show me how you would love me." She held his face in her hands. The kisses were slow and passionate at first, but escalated quickly. She was more beautiful nude than dressed, and he didn't believe that was possible. He worshipped her body, even as he was rough and demanding. She reciprocated, touching every part of his body she could reach. They would have decades to continue, but the now, the first time ever, nothing would ever surpass it. ............................................... Three months later to the day he proposed. Six months after that they married. Both were good with money, Will from good training by his parents, Pam from the mistakes of her first marriage. Two years later they bought a nice house in a nice neighborhood. A year later their first child, a girl, was born. Twenty three months later their son arrived. They had a good life. They argued over simple things, but never carried grudges. Both had the same version for the future and that sustained them. They were friendly, outgoing people, quickly establishing life long friends with many of the neighbors. They socialized, having the odd party or cookout, and attended many others. It was at a cookout at the house of their friends Sam and Sarah that Pam got a glimpse of the temper Will kept hidden. The party started before dark and continued into the night. A set of new neighbors had been invited. Neither seemed to fit in. Tony was loud, and considered himself to be a gift to women. Lisa was jealous and had an acid tongue, Making it known she was watching all the wives because they were just like every other woman in town, lusting for Tony. Tony closed in on Pam, probably because she was the best looking woman there. He proceeded to brag about his accumulated wealth, his sports prowess, and indirectly, his sexual skills. Pam looked bored to tears. Finally she excused her self and left him standing alone. That seemed to challenge him because he kept following her around. Will had enough. He was going to politely collect Pam and start making their goodbyes before a confrontation developed but he never got the chance. Sarah had banana trees planted all around the pool, creating a mini jungle. He was looking for Pam when he heard something that sounded like a pistol shot followed by a scream. "You bastard!" Pam came around the tree looking extremely agitated, followed by a blustering Tony. He pulled up when he saw me and heard Pam asking to be taken home. He looked over with a smirk. Will shocked everyone at the party when he made a loud announcement. "We'll be staying just a bit, but join me in wishing Tony and Lisa goodnight. "I'm not ready to stop partying yet!" Tony said belligerently. "The hand print on your face says you are. She's my wife, so think before you speak." The tone of his voice, as well as the look in his eyes made Tony suddenly realize he had an early tea time. He made thier goodbyes to the host and left quickly. Sam came over and stood beside Will. "Thanks." Will looked over. "Thanks for what?" "For holding your temper. I've never seen the term 'murder in his eyes' actually occur until now. I don't think I want Tony back in my house." "Good idea, next time it could be another husband, or a wife with too much to drink falling for his lines. Then it would get ugly. Its' been an interesting night. I think I'll walk my wonderful wife home and get in a little snuggling before I go to sleep." As they walked home Pam thanked him. "For what?" "For defending my honor." I think the hand print on his face meant I didn't need to defend you." "I meant for later on. It could have gotten ugly if you hadn't spoken up. Even without raising your hand or your voice you scared him into going home." She held his hand the rest of the way home. ................................................. The years passed quickly. The kids grew up, went off to college and then to their own lives. Both married, the daughter moving with her husband half way across the country, the son half way across town. They moved up in their careers. He became plant manager, she ran the accounts receivables department. Life was good, right up to the present. The Hot List Ch. 04 Thanks for reading. For those readers who say I should have put sex in the story, you're probably right. I'll make sure to steam up future offerings, but be warned, I tend to take the scenic route every where I go, you can ask my wife. This is a fairy tale. I put it in loving wives, well, because it's about a guy who loves his wife. I personally have been married three times. My last is in the thirtieth year, I couldn't run her off with a stick. I've been thinking about it though[just kidding honey]. enjoy. ................................................... I shook of my trip down memory lane and went out to the patio, where I sat and watched my wife fuss with her plant. She looked at me and said "What are you looking at?" "My beautiful wife, who I love beyond words." "Good answer." She wiped her hands and sat beside me. "How did your meeting with Sam go?" She thought I had met with Sam to review our investments. " Well, we're not broke yet. How was your morning?" She sighed. "Jimmie called." Jimmie was our son. When the economy tanked his company gave him an option. Move two states away or take a layoff. He checked around, but there was just nothing out there. We had talked Friday, so if he was calling today something must be wrong. "Everything all right?" She sighed again. "We're going to be grandparents again. They're pretty sure it's a girl." This was good news. They already had a little boy, three. He was our only grandchild. When they moved Pam took it hard. She had bonded with Susan, our daughter, so well that when she had Jimmie jr. she was the only one allowed in the delivery room. Deuce[Jimmie Jr.] adored his grandmother and followed her around constantly. Not being able to see him on a regular basis was hard on both of us. .................................................. If you looked under impulsive in the dictionary you wouldn't see my picture. Maybe under dependable or consistent, but not impulsive. Sometimes though, I surprise even myself. I took her hand and started pulling her towards the house. "Come on. I'm going to check the fluids and belts on your car and go fill it with gas. That should give you time to shower and pack us an overnight bag." Confusion reigned supreme. "Why would I pack an overnight bag?" "Duh, to go somewhere overnight. If we leave in thirty minutes, we can get checked into a nice hotel, have a late dinner at a good restaurant, and still be at Jimmie and Susans' by 9:00. Unless I get lucky, after all I will be sleeping with a sexy woman." Her eyes were misting over. "You got lucky the day you met me. I don't see the streak ending tonight. I wonder if there's room in the bag for my new teddy?" "If there isn't, leave something else out. Be back in thirty minutes." She was waiting on the porch when I got back. In the car she was so happy she chattered like a teenager for two hours. Whipping out her new phone[the girl loved technology], she had us checked in and reservations made before we were out of state. She even ordered a bottle of wine for our room. Her new teddy was breath taking, and I did get lucky. Very, very lucky. Three times, something that hadn't happened in years. I was still tired when we surprised the kids. We took them to breakfast, and spent a great day visiting. I don't think Deuce left Pams' lap the whole time. He cried when we had to leave, only the promise that we would be back soon and take him home with us for a week calmed him. We looked at the sonograms. Pam and Susan both cried when Susan said the girl was to be named Pamela Louise, after both grandmothers. On the way home we talked about the multitude of things in our lives, trivial and important. Her car was six years old, should we get another? We're low on beer, should we stop tonight or wait and go in the morning? Did you turn on the porch light? I don't remember if we put the sprinklers on automatic, ah well, we'll know when we get there. Where should we go on vacation? Should we invite the kids? All discussed with the gravity of someone whose lives were so in synch that discussion wasn't really necessary. .................................................. Life rolled effortlessly along for a few months. We had new insurance carriers who insisted everyone covered get a physical. Prevention and all that. Pam went for hers before I did. During the mammogram they found two lumps in her right breast and one in her left. Specialists were called in. Biopsies were done. It would take a week to get the results. Her mother had breast cancer and survived. Her sister didn't. It was my worst fear realized. Pam was afraid she would lose her breasts and I wouldn't love her. I was afraid I would lose Pam. As petty as it seemed, my deepest darkest fear was being brought to life. Everyone always thought I was tight with money. That wasn't so, I was afraid of losing the money. I didn't want it for myself, but the comfort it would bring us in our later years. I wanted us to travel to the places Pam wanted to go, to help our children with things. I wanted to gift our grandchildren with help for college. There was so much we wanted to do. The root of this fear was watching how my parents ended up. They both saved, and lived frugal lives. When they retired they celebrated with a month long cruise. They came home tanned and relaxed. Then dad got sick, prostrate cancer. Despite Medicare and supplimental insurance the bills mounted. They were proud people who believed in paying their bills. Slowly the savings dwindled. My siblings and I pitched in. For two years Pam and I paid the power and phone bills. My brother and sister made the payments on the car they bought just for retirement. My friend Sam rescued them and their dignity by setting up a reverse mortgage on the house. When my dad passed there was enough left for my mom to pay off everything and move into a small retirement community. We all tried to get her to stay with one of us but she said she wanted her independence. She seemed happy enough, to the very last she could drive and would visit often, but she only lasted two years after dad died. Susan came and stayed with us for a few weeks. She was six months along, and had Deuce with her to help cheer Pam up. It was a very long week. One of the happiest words in the English language? Benign. ................................................. The health scare had really gotten me thinking. The six year age difference was in my mind, looming larger as we aged. If Pam waited until sixty two to retire I would be sixty eight. Would I be able to do the things we dreamed of? Would she be forced to put her dreams on hold to take care of me? Would we have a good life? With thirty six years of service to my company, I could have retired at full benefits at fifty five. Pam had eight more months to be fully vested and could retire but not draw until she hit fifty five. I made an appointment with Sam to review my options. He gave me his advice. "Retire now, Will. You'll still be drawing the same pay if you work or not. Your investments with me, Your 401 plans, your savings, and your certificates of deposit make you very, very comfortable. Plus, in four more years social security kicks in. Retire now, and take Pam with you when she vests. Live, Will. Don't end up like Sarah and I." I agreed, and started making arrangements. The recession had hit everyone, including our company. Word came down from corporate to trim the workforce by twenty percent. Between manufacturing and office staff, 110 jobs had to be trimmed. I had become plant manager four years ago, so the burden fell to me. I had a confidential meeting and told them I was thinking of retiring. They were surprised and protested, but at least part of them wanted me to go and make room for the new turks. They told me, also in confidence, that if any one with over twenty five years with the company would get a buy out of six months pay to retire, including me. Any one with less than one year to vestiture would get the same deal. I did some rough calculations in my head. Pam had eight more months to vestiture, If she took the deal she would be eligible in two months . Plus, she had six weeks of vacation accumulated, If she took it all at once she would have work just two weeks. I knew it would take longer than that to make all the cuts so she was safe. The only drawback was it would be three years before she could draw anything from the program. I'm sure we could live with that. Corporate agreed with me to promote the night operations manager to plant manager. He was only 38, full of energy and plans, and could lead us into the future. I had an assistant plant manager on day shift, But he was 59 and had less than six months to become vested. He was a good man, but being passed over would motivate him to take his golden parachute. I had the same meeting with the department heads and asked them to make a list of people who could take the deal and vest, those who had less than ten years of service, and those who were poor workers or had attendance problems. AS with all companies that size, confidentiality is an urban myth. Rumors started immediately. Pam was worried and knew that I knew what was going on but couldn't tell her. Th allay her fears I gave her a bit of indirect advice. "All I can tell you honey, is that if they offer you the golden parachute, jump." Message sent. I walked my retirement papers through corporate, but had to tell the HR director. This was a little sticky, it just happened to be Pams' best friend. I needed her help anyway with my own plans. She was a professional and wouldn't have talked, but swearing her to the other brought a smile to her face. Things were moving along. I brought the night operations manager to first shift and promoted his assistant. I put the word out it was to let me concentrate on a special project. That part was true. The project was planning Pams' retirement surprise. Her grandmother was from Italy, and lived with her parents. She babysat her and her sister while the parents were at work. She learned to speak Italian and English at the same time. All her life she had wanted to go to Rome and look for her relatives, and I always said we would when we retired. Well, we were almost retired. I had a secret weapon, her grandmothers' bible. Pam had kept it all these years, and would look at the names inscribed occasionally, wondering if they were still alive. In the old days, especially when babies were born at home, the only birth record would be the name and date written in the bible. They did the same thing for deaths, the name and date. In some states even today these records are considered legal. Many would record marriages as well. I finally located a sixth or seventh cousin and emailed him pictures of her, her grandmother, and one of her grandmother and grandfather. He was in his army uniform, hugging a young woman who looked like a darker version of Pam. Guido was happy to locate more relatives, twenty seven just in Rome, With more than he could name in the countryside. .................................................. Finally, it was layoff day. The employees had been informed, partly to get volunteers for early retirement, partly to prepare them for the worst. We rode to work together in my truck, I had put her car into the shop for service. We were to pick it up after work. She was pensive. We had decided that it would be best if she retire. She was worried about feeling bored and useless. I tried to ease her fears. "Look, honey, if you get bored you can look for another job. Right now, I can think of one project to keep you busy. Susan will be needing company in the birthing room." She was due in 24 days. Pam had already made plans to be there the week before and the week after. I was going to take vacation and be there by the due date. We pulled into the parking lot for the last time. Her eyes were brimming, this place had been part of our lives for thirty years. "Cheer up, honey. You'll see them all from time to time." That wasn't so and she knew it. Being laid off had a finality about it. You all say you'll stay in touch, but you never quite seem to have time to visit or even call. Mostly you just drift away quietly, getting consumed by the now of your life. Once in a while something will trigger a memory and you'll say "wonder how he/she is doing. I need to give them a call when I get time." Then you go back to the task at hand and the thought slips away. I gave her a kiss and she went into the offices and I went into the plant. I knew she was emotionally overloaded and I shouldn't have done it, but right before first break I went out to the truck and got two cups of coffee and a cheese danish. She was sitting at her desk staring into space when I came in. "Hi sweetheart. I brought you coffee and a cheese danish. Would you like to spend break with me?" Her head snapped up. She looked at the coffee and the little packaged danish. You don't love someone for thirty years and not learn a little about them. When her chin started quivering I put the coffee down and reached for her. She leaped into my arms and cried, hard. I sat and put her on my lap, rocking her. And if anyone was concerned that the plant manager was holding the accounts receivable on his lap and kissing her hair they never mentioned it. Of course by then the dam had burst. Pam had triggered a tsunami of tears, as the predominately female office broke down. Groups would hug, to disperse and realign. It was safe to say no work got done that day. ................................................. They had just settled down when the flowers started to arrive. I had bouquets sent to everyone in the office, including the few men. Part to say we appreciate you to the ones who got to stay, partly to apologize to the ones let go. I took it out of petty cash, what were they gonna do fire me? Pams' was bigger than most, and came with some packages. I made sure that a few of her friends were around, just in case. I had the packages numbered, with OPEN IN ORDER in big letters. She opened the box and saw a jewelery box inside. The note said "read me first" "My dear wife, some friends of mine recently rated you an 8.5 on a scale of 10. These guys were getting old and I don't think their eyesight is the best. This is my ranking. Please open the box and see if you can figure it out." Inside the box was a locket and chain made of platinum. The locket had ten small diamonds outlining the heart shape, and one half carat stone set in the middle. Pam opened the locket slowly. Inscribed was "forever eleven". Just when she thought she had no more tears they came again. The girls had to put it on for her because her hands shook so much. "Open the next one." they begged. It was a large, flat envelop marked fragile. Her hands shook so bad someone else did it for her. The first sheet of paper was my retirement summary with a note attached. "Honey, you won't have to worry about sitting around the house getting bored or lonely, because I'll be right there with you, at least until I get underfoot. Hopefully this won't happen for another thirty years or so." She was becoming numb. The next sheet out was a map of Rome, with a note, of course. "This is for you to mark all the places you want to see. The tickets and hotel reservations are in the pouch. We leave ten days after the expected arrival of our granddaughter, and will be gone for a month. It's your dream vacation, my love." She had to sit, feeling a bit light headed. The third and final envelop was marked DO NOT OPEN UNTIL NOON. OPEN IN THE PARKING LOT. It was only 11, but they almost dragged her out the door. Once outside she opened the last envelop. A set of cars keys fell out. This note was short and to the point. "It's not the one we talked about, it's the one I want you to have. Press the alarm. She pressed the button and it chirped. She followed the sound until she came to a metallic gray challenger. They had stopped to look at a Chrysler 300, but she fell in love with the challenger. Pam refused to consider it, saying she was too old. The tags said "Pams'" She turned around in the lot a couple of times. She went back to the car and sat behind the wheel. With a determined look she got out locked the care carefully and strode towards the plant. Everyone followed her, all pretense of working abandoned. ................................................. I saw her coming, and it looked like she brought the office with her. She charged right up to me. "Damn you Will! There's a special place in hell for people like you." Shocked would be an understatement. She smiled slowly, and reached up to brush my cheek. "It's for people who love someone else to death. But don't worry, sweetie, I'll be right there with you." In all the kisses she ever gave me, this one came in at number two, right behind the very first one. .................................................. She was too emotionally exhausted to drive, so I got to drive her new car home. I knew no one was cooking this night, so I had Chinese delivered. She would finger her locket, look at the map and the tickets, and walk to the window to look at her car. I finally asked her what she was doing. "Waiting to wake up." I scooped her up. "In order to do that you have to go to sleep. It's been a long day." I carried her to bed and undressed her. Did we make love? No, she was asleep before I had her shoes off. But the next morning I woke finding her at the bedroom window. "What's wrong babe?" "Nothing, just looking at my new car. Let's go for a spin." I started to get up but she jumped astride me. "First I need to find out something. Is retired sex is as good as I think it's going to be?" It was. Afterward we took a shower together, the first in a long time. I bathed her gently, stopping to kiss often. I touched the tiny scars from her biopsies and shed a small tear, hidden by the shower. I kissed her faint strech marks, badges of honor from our two children. I would have kissed more but we suddenly had an urge to go back to the bedroom. Flexability fades when you reach your late fifties. Pamela Louise was born a day early, announcing loudly she had arrived. We oohed and ahhed. Deuce was the least impressed. .................................................. We arrived in Rome early in the morning. I warned Pam that one or two of her relatives may come by. There were 41 people including small children waiting, holding up a sign with our name on it. I recognized Guido and got his attention. He was grabbing others and pointing us out. We were mobbed, everyone talking at the same time. Guido became referee and guide. We were booked for 28 days in a nice hotel, and we only slept there six. We were always over at cousin Endo or aunt Marias house or any one of half dozen I couldn't remember the names of. It took Pam about three weeks before her language skills improved. I never got it but had a ball. sixty seven crying relatives were there to see us off. It was the vacation of a lifetime. Now we spend most summers in Italy. It is surprisingly affordable, especially if you seem to be related to half the population. Pam can speak like a native, I've gotten to the point where I can understand most of it and speak the basics. The most surprising thing in all our travels was when Pam discovered topless beaches. I was amazed when she took one look, said "nobody knows us here" and dropped her top. Even at 54 she has a nice trim body. Her breasts weren't large to start with and had very little sag. She still gets looks and even got approached once. Whatever she said sent them flying. Now when we go to the beaches she doesn't even pack tops. The Hot List Ch. 04 At home there is a picture of Pam in a pale green sun dress. She is sitting on the steps of St. Johns Bascilica smiling. Inset in the corner is the same picture of her grandmother, in black in white. Underneath is a framed 3X5 index card covered in scribbling. Pam still doesn't know wht it is exactly. I tell her it's the chemical composition of love. ................................................ That's it. The end. The hot list really does exist. I've got a feeling it's spread out of the south, Sams' brother Came for a visit from Pittsburgh and took a hand full back with him. So, ladies, if you see a bunch of old guys in the mall or the entrance to Wal-Mart, scribbling and arguing, leave them alone. It's just harmless fun. and you may want to stand a little straighter. Remember, you get points for projection.